The article focuses on the demographic factors which are behind the civil war in Syria. It is mentioned that Sunni Arabs, by far the largest ethno-religious group, comprise approximately 65 percent of the population and the Kurds, non-Arab Sunnis with their own irredentist ambitions, compose eight percent. It is also mentioned that after half a century of Alawite domination, the Sunni majority is also driven by fear of marginalization and abuse.